This weekend, Austin’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Community celebrates Gay Pride. After last year’s somewhat contentious split between corporate/commercial and homegrown/queer, this year’s Pride takes the emphasis of the event and refocuses on the diversity of the community.

At first, moving Pride out of the nationally recognized month of June and into September seemed like a bad idea. But after the bitch azz heat of this last summer, I’m kind of glad–especially since, due to permitting issues, the Pride Parade will be during the day. Another change: The Pride Festival is back to its old home in Fiesta Gardens.

The Pride Festival is also home to the biggest change, for me. With the booking of less mainstream and gay stereotyped groups, this year’s official celebration offers a more ethnically and musically diverse line-up that includes plenty of electro, bounce and hip hop. In fact, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m kinda excited about several acts.

Here’s a little rundown of some of my faves (in no particular order):

Leslie & the LYs

You may not know electro band Leslie & the LYs, but you’ve probably seen front woman Leslie Hall’s Cheesy Sweater photo series. Musically, she reminds me of beautiful electroclash of the 2000s with elements of 90s house and hip hop. Lyrically, the songs are playful and tongue-in-cheek. Danceable and fun, I hear she puts on a great show!

Yo Majesty

With elements of hip hop, electrohouse, dancehall and crunk, Yo Majesty will bring the funk to Austin Pride. Although from America, this Lesbian crew works with UK producers, including Basement Jaxx and HardfeelingsUK, Break sexual stereotypes and musical stereotypes, they’ve toured with electro star Peaches–and with songs like “Twerk” “Booty Klap” and “Cherry Pop”, their music is equally sexual. Fans of Thunderheist or Miami bass will love this group.

Oaktown’s 3.5.7.

Um, this legendary old school hip hop rap group Oaktown’s 3.5.7. is phenomenal. Produced by MC Hammer back in the DIZZAY, the girls are reuniting for the first time since 1989. If you like Salt-n-Peppa and JJ Fadd, you’ll love this band. But then again, if you like those groups, you prob already know this, man.

Katey Red

Big Freedia’s right-hand queen, Katey Red brings that Nawlins “Sissy” Bounce to Austin’s Gay Pride. If you’ve been to a High School dance in the south since the mid-90s or are a modern day hipster, you probably already know how much azz gets thrown around in this style of hip hop. And with her sophisticated sytle, this is one diva that will not disappoint. Bahleeb dat.

Big Freedia and Katey Red (photo by Lyle Ashton Harris/The New York Times)

ejector

San Francisco’s ejector bring a moody, dark vibe to Austin Pride. Sometimes walking the line between electro, goth and industrial, these guys combine the smokiness of an underground club in SF with the euro ambiance of a Berlin diskotech. But don’t let the darkness scare you: Fans of Pet Shop Boys and Erasure will love them, too. And there’s a good chance at least one of these dudes will have the electro otters swooning.